Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Amtrak tree replanting back on track

Tensions have been high between Amtrak and residents of Boulevard Gardens in Woodside ever since the railroad company cut down a number of trees along the tracks in the neighborhood, but Amtrak’s recent promise to hire an arborist to replace the lost trees has made both sides feel as if an equitable solution is on the way.

Jimmy Lanza, 64, a former board president of Boulevard Gardens at 31st Avenue in Woodside, ﻿and a resident of the area for decades, said neighbors started coming to him as soon as it happened. He and others worked to contact Vallone and other politicians as well as members of the media.

Amtrak met with area residents about the tree removal Friday. [Amtrak spokesman Cliff] Cole said on that day that Amtrak admitted it had not communicated the initial tree removal to residents. The company also promised to hire a landscape artist who would replace the lost trees with low-lying shrubs and some replanting and refencing where appropriate.

Lanza said the residents have researched trees to replace those removed that are safe and will not require any maintenance on the part of Amtrak.

He said he is seeing Amtrak make some changes promised, such as removing the debris from the project. He is confident the community can find a compromise by using the arborist.

“It’s probably going to be acceptable to the majority of the community,” Lanza said.

You would think Amtrak had better things to do with their track properties, such as debris removal, and fence repairs and painting. Trimming trees is neccessary but because it was never done, many trees would need to be brought down, but not not entire areas of trees as I am hearing. Trees provided noise buffers, natural boundaries and cleansed the air. Amtrak should focus on the running of the railroad, something that can't seen to make a profit for the people.

Amtrak is a pet of Uncle Joe Biden. No coincidence...Amtrak operates most of its heavy maintenance at facilities in Biden's home state of Delaware, employing thousands of people.

Joe made sure Amtrak got a bunch of money in the stimulus bill, but most serious work in the train business, like buying new trains or building new track, requires years of planning. Instead of using the money for something needed or useful, they sent out work gangs to cut down trees in the name of job creation.

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